Syria’s new rulers look for GCC support to overcome economic want

Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani presented the Qataris with a clear roadmap for the near future in Syria

Syria’s new Islamist rulers are seeking Arab Gulf countries’ help towards the reconstruction of Syria and the removal of US sanctions, reports the Arab Weekly.

In a statement on X, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani said, on the eve a Gulf tour including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates after having already visited Saudi Arabia, «We look forward to these visits contributing to supporting stability, security, economic recovery and building distinguished partnerships,».

Visiting Qatar, the host of major US military bases, the Syrian foreign minister insisted, «These sanctions constitute a barrier and an obstacle to the rapid recovery and development of the Syrian people who await services and partnerships from other countries.»

Shibani spoke to reporters after meeting Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as foreign minister.

«We reiterate our calls for the United States to lift these sanctions, which have now become against the Syrian people rather than what they previously were: imposed sanctions on the Assad regime,» he said.

Shibani, on his second foreign trip less than a month after former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by rebels on December 8, said that Qatar will be a partner in the new phase in Syria.

Qatar was the second country, after Turkey, to reopen its embassy in the Syrian capital following the overthrow of Assad.

Shibani presented the Qataris with a clear roadmap for the near future in Syria and steps that would be taken by the new Syrian administration, Al-Khulaifi told reporters after the meeting. «We are working together to prevent any foreign interference in Syrian affairs,» Al-Khulaifi added.

Shibani said the roadmap is meant to «rebuild our country, restore its Arab and foreign relations, enable the Syrian people to obtain their civil and basic rights, and present a government that the Syrian people feel it represents them and all their components.»

Shibani had embarked on his first foreign trip with a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, less than a month after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria’s political transition.